An upcoming high-capacity transit measure going before Tigard voters this March has attracted an unusual amount of regional interest for a special election. A former governor, a notable conservative political action committee and a light-rail project manager have all gotten involved.

The stakes are high. Under this measure, Tigard's would have an anti-high-capacity transit policy and send annual letters to the state and feds saying so. Light rail or exclusive bus lanes would have to be approved by voters.

Under the proposed measure, voters would have the final say over the projects, but need a price-tag and estimates of changes in housing density and road capacity first. Critics of

View full sizeThis map lays out possible routes that a new light rail or bus rapid transit line (with exclusive lanes) could go through as part of the Southwest Corridor Plan, meant to connect Portland, Tigard and Tualatin. Courtesy of Metro

the measure say that's a Catch-22: The city would struggle to get the funding for the planning to get a quote for light rail projects and study the effects on the community

Elected officials, including all of Tigard's City Council and former mayor and Metro Councilor Craig Dirksen, have spoken out against this measure. They say the measure would unnecessarily bind them from doing their jobs and fighting congestion. Former Governor Barbara Roberts, who once lived in Tigard, even joined the fray.

Activists and Tigard residents who support the measure counter that this vote is about giving residents a voice in an important community issue.

Campaign dollars are starting to trickle in, and The Oregonian spoke to those involved about the campaign strategies. The central battle ground for this campaign will be in the voter's pamphlet where a hefty 17 arguments have been submitted.

If passed, this measure would amend the Tigard Charter adopting a policy opposing construction of new high-capacity transit corridor within the City without voter approval.

It would prohibit the City from adopting an ordinance amending its comprehensive plan or land use regulations to accommodate siting of new high-capacity transit corridor project (“Project”) absent voter approval.

Such ordinance includes:

The total amount of road capacity reduced by the Project;

Changes in housing density or land use regulations;

Projected public cost of the Project.

The City would annually send a letter to various public officials notifying them of this policy.

The measure defines a “new high-capacity transit corridor” as any portion of regional transit system proposed for development within the City that reduces available road capacity in favor of light rail, rail transit or exclusive bus lanes.

Road capacity includes any roadway within five miles of the City that currently permits public automobile traffic or any public rights-of-way that could provide additional road capacity at a future date.

The Oregonian publishes Tigard and Tualatin news online first atwww.oregonlive.com/tigard and www.oregonlive.com/tualatin. News also appears in The Oregonian and the Wednesday Southwest Community News section